Global Leadership Awards

The United Nations Association of the United States of America’s (UNA-USA’s) longstanding annual gala honors individuals and corporations for their outstanding leadership in furthering the purposes of the United Nations Charter. From global health to economic development, education and environmental sustainability, this distinct array of global citizens address high-priority issues as designated by the United Nations.

In 2008, UNA-USA’s 50th Annual Global Leadership Awards Gala commemorated the half-way mark toward meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) adopted at the UN’s Millennium Summit in 2000. The MDG’s represent the highest aspirations of humankind for a more peaceful, just, and prosperous world. UNA-USA honored eight exceptional individuals and institutions working in their own unique ways to help the United Nations and the world fulfill these goals by 2015. Ted Turner received UNA-USA’s inaugural Champion for Global Change Award in recognition of his longstanding commitment to UNA-USA and the UN.

UNA-USA helps the UN help the world by participating in and furthering the UN’s efforts around the world and by highlighting the dedicated efforts of other global citizens through its galas and events.

Jay-Z and Dr. Patrick Treacy

The first photo is with Jay-Z, who got an award for his partnership with the United Nations and MTV to get young people involved in the world's water crisis. As mentioned, MTV film crews followed Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, while he visited children living without clean water in Angola and South Africa during his worldwide tour this fall.

Ted Turner and Dr. Patrick Treacy

The second is with Ted Turner, American philanthropist. As a businessman, he is best known as the founder of the cable television network CNN, the first dedicated 24-hour cable news channel. As a philanthropist, he is well known for his $1 billion gift to support UN causes, which created the united Nations Foundation, a public charity that broadens support for the UN.

Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Patrick Treacy

The third is with Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. We had a good laugh talking about my dad being a fan of him and Karl Malden in the popular 1970s crime drama, The Streets of San Francisco.